Wangaratta Rovers will welcome back Alex Marklew (centre) next season as a home club player, while Tyson Hartwig will return full-time.
Wangaratta Rovers' official Barry Sullivan has declared it's not a concern for the league that the decision to cut player points could cost it ex-AFL players.
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Sullivan stated last week AFL North East Border's decision to chop four points from Rovers' meant the club would no longer pursue elite level players it had contacted.
It must be stressed that all clubs have the potential to recruit as many ex-AFL players as they can under their respective points allocation.
"I'm actually a fan of the player points and the salary cap," he said after the most even year since their introduction.
"I think the most important thing is to get an equalised competition.
"To get the league as healthy as it can be, you want all teams to have a chance at the start of each season to play finals, it's more for the supporters, volunteers, board members and sponsors.
"You see the cycles and you can't pull the lever which suits you at that time."
Despite falling to 40 points, the club has just signed six players, including Tatura's Jamason Daniels as Daryn Cresswell's co-coach.
Club content with points and cap, despite it costing AFL names
Rovers fielded the maximum 44 points a number of times last season, but with the departure of Matt Medcraft (four) and uncertainty over Nick Murray (six) and Nathan Cooper, the club has breathing space.
However, Sullivan was asked if the Hawks could fit all their players in.
"If everything lines up with Charlie Thompson (now four points), Nathan Cooper (now three) and Max Spencer available, you're definitely going to struggle," he said
Andrew Moir
Sports Journalist
